Economy

EU prepares new measures for China packages

The EU plans to introduce stricter controls on products sold via online platforms such as China's Shein and Alibaba. This is stated by the Irish EU Commissioner Michael McGrath for the FT.

–I am very concerned about the volume of unsafe products entering the EU. We have a responsibility to protect citizens.

He states that "year after year" "very dangerous" goods have entered, which in some cases have led to deaths.

McGrath's plan means that the EU Commission will be given new powers to investigate the most serious cases. An updated consumer protection will also be proposed, while the requirements for platforms that sell goods from the discount giants will be tightened. 

Swedes' holiday travel
Holiday bill for a week in the mountains: Around 50,000 kronor

Around 50,000 kronor. This is how much a family of two children needs to be prepared to pay for a week's skiing holiday in the mountains during the sports break. This is shown by a review of the ICA bank, writes TT.

- It has almost become a class issue, says Magnus Hjelmér, everyday economist at the bank.

Two things in particular cause the costs to quickly add up, accommodation and lift passes. To reduce costs, Hjelmér advises fewer lunches out, and buying used equipment instead of renting.

The most expensive is during week 9 when Stockholmers have sports break, according to the review. 

Sanctions
EU wants to approve loans to Ukraine at the summit

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels this week to, among other things, agree on a loan to Ukraine of around 90 billion euros, news agencies write. Friday's decision to extend the freeze of Russian assets has been deemed necessary in order to be able to use them as collateral for the loan, writes Direkt.

Reuters calls the frozen assets Europe's main trump card to get a say in a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. At the same time, the Union may face resistance from investors in the West, who have assets worth hundreds of billions of kronor in Russia.

At the same time, EU leaders have few alternatives to using the frozen assets as Ukraine's money runs out and the continent's security is at risk, the news agency writes.

If the EU wants to be a geopolitical player to be reckoned with, strong statements must be backed up with decisive action, believes Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

- Now is the time to decide [...] Europe's credibility, security and leadership are at stake, he says, according to Bloomberg.